DEAR HARRIETTE: I was recently diagnosed with a serious health condition. I am a private person, and I don’t want to tell anyone about it. I will be visiting family at Thanksgiving, and typically they ask a thousand questions. They love talking about their ailments -- the young ones as well as the older people. I hate that. I don’t want to lie, but I feel like I should be able to maintain my privacy about my health situation. How can I deflect prying questions, because I know they are coming? -- None of Your Business, Detroit
DEAR NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS: Getting together with family does not require a "true confessions" moment. You have the right to your privacy, even if your family doesn’t like that. When asked how you are doing, say that you are doing fine and then talk about some aspect of your life you feel good about. This could be about work, your home or your friendships. Pick something that they will find interesting and that will deflect from your health.
You may want to consider who can be a confidant. Since you are facing a health challenge, it might be necessary choose one family member whom you trust to share your news with.
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)